Nov 16,2007 00:00 by
UPI WASHINGTON -- U.S. President George Bush Friday said the United States appreciates Japan's efforts in areas such as nuclear disarmament in North Korea and Iran.

"There are lots of ways we can make the world a better place by working together," Bush said during a joint news briefing in Washington with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

On negotiations to get North Korea to abandon its nuclear program and end plutonium production, Bush praised Japan's work in the six-party talks.

"Hard work still remains," he said, noting that North Korea's declaration on all nuclear programs and proliferation activities is due by year's end.

Bush said the United States and Japan "agree that a nuclear-armed Iran would threaten the security of the Middle East and beyond" and are "united in our efforts to change the regime's behavior through diplomacy."

Bush thanked Fukuda for his country's efforts in Iraq by supplying air and sea support.

"I appreciate the contribution that the Japanese people are making to help this young democracy," he said.

Fukuda agreed that a Japanese-U.S. alliance provides the "basis for active diplomacy" in Asia and elsewhere.